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Report of the Review of Medical Services Advisory Committee - May 2005

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Executive Summary


Process


In May 2004, the Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) undertook a review of its procedures and methods in order to identify opportunities to improve approaches to and management of the assessment of health technologies.

The Committee received thirty submissions, mainly from professional medical bodies and medical industry groups. In November 2004, the Committee agreed to implement a number of actions which were developed using ideas contained in many of the submissions, and which fitted within its terms of reference.

Results


With a few exceptions, the submissions from external stakeholder and ideas from MSAC members were consistent. The report of the review has been structured around the five main themes that emerged:
  • Clear reasons for decisions;
  • Consistent use of evidence;
  • Timely decisions;
  • Including others in MSAC processes; and
  • Information and communication.

The Committee will inform the Minister for Health and Ageing about those issues arising from the submissions, which go beyond the Committee’s terms of reference.

Next steps


Some actions have already been implemented. Several require a change to procedure without incurring additional costs. The rate at which some other actions can be implemented will depend on resource availability. The MSAC will monitor and report on the implementation of these actions.

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